Education: University of Karlsruhe
University of Karlsruhe, Master of Science
Cofounded German software giant SAP with four former IBM colleagues. Its chief executive for 30 years before retiring in May 2003. Sports enthusiast, skis, snowboards, plays golf and tennis. Sails his Morning Glory Yacht competitively. Owns luxury golf course and hotel, Fancourt Estate, in South Africa's Western Cape province. Supports HassoPlattnerVentures, which incubates promising IT technology companies.